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About Daphne E Brown MS CPRP
Expertise
I will answer questions concerning exercise, nutrition, health and diseases related to obesity or sedentary lifestyle. I can also answer questions about being an aerobics/group exercise leader or questions about getting certified with AFAA.

Experience
Receiving my Masters of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology, I have been Fitness Director on board Royal Caribbean luxury cruise ships, I have given training seminars for aspiring group exercise leaders; I am certified and I work for Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). I was Senior Exercise Physiologist and lecturer at the Internationally renowned Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa at Turnberry Island Resort in Miami, Florida for almost 10 years and I was also the Fitness Assessment Coordinator at the exclusive Fisher Island Spa Internazionale on exclusive Fisher Island in Miami Beach (famous residents of the island include Oprah Winfrey, Andre Agassi, and Sharon Gless). I've competed in AAU and NAC Aerobics competitions. Currently, I am the Adminstrative Manager for a Municipal Parks and Recreation Department and own a Fitness/Lifestyle planning business. I have been in the Fitness industry for over seventeen years and here on AllExperts since 1999.

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Aerobics - afaa certification

Expert: Daphne E Brown MS CPRP - 11/4/2009

Question
I have been taking group classes of all kinds for years, it is time i get paid to workout. So I am going to get certified with AFAA here very soon. The course requires self-study before the day long certification. How long do you think i will need to study, 6 weeks? I am also required to be CPR certified before they will issue me my exercise cert., i have found online courses that can be done from home, do these count? Thank you so much for your time!!

Answer
Hi Kristi!
Congratulations on your pursuit of AFAA certification. Your best bet is to focus on your study guide. The test is written and practical. Make sure you fill out your study guide before you go. If you are going to a one-day Primary Cert (even if you take the skills/choreography class beforehand), the Cert specialist usually takes time to go over what is going to be on the written test, and he/she points out what you should know from your study guide. If you filled it out, then the information has already stuck with you and it's easier to remember once you take the test. If you feel like you need some help, go to a PRIMARY study session, usually offered separately the day before the PRIMARY test.

For the practical part of the test, AFAA has eased up a bit on your demonstration of skills, but you really need to focus on SAFETY (read your text book) when you teach classes. When you have to demonstrate teaching to the class during the practical part of the test, keep it simple, speak clearly and GIVE CORRECT SAFETY and MODIFICATION CUES, include body alignment and the muscle group(s) you are strengthening. Don't be too fancy, you increase your likelihood that you will say something wrong. Make sure you yourself are executing what you are saying--make sure you practice at home looking in the mirror--I am an examiner and I see so many instructors teach pretty good but have horrible form and posture.

If you feel that your current skills are great, then you probably will do fine with the practical. Again, ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN THE STUDY GUIDE USING THE TEXT BOOK. It's information that you will always fall back on. That is your best bet.

Hope this helps. You should call the office before completing an online CPR course to make sure 1-800-233-4886. Best wishes and congratulations in advance, because I know you will do just fine and join the AFAA ranks, because there are also lots of part time opportunities within AFAA once you are certified. Take Care!!! Daphne

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